• You have the flexibility to pay your deposit and balance using any legal method. Please note, if you choose to pay via electronic bank transfer, you are responsible for any associated transfer fees. This ensures that the company receives the full invoiced amount in the specified currency. 

• Cancellations 90 days or more before departure: Full deposit refund if paid in advance. After 90 days, 30% of the deposit is non-refundable.
• Cancellations 60 days before departure: 50% of the deposit is non-refundable.
• Cancellations 45 days before departure: Full deposit is non-refundable, plus an additional 30% of the total trip cost.
• Cancellations 30 days or less before departure: 100% of the total trip cost is non-refundable.

How much does the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu cost? The trek costs €3,550 land only with Pat Falvey Irish & Worldwide Adventures. This covers hotel accommodation in Lima and Cusco, all camping and meals during the trek, park fees, guides, porters, communal gear, sleeping bags, and mattresses. International and internal flights, travel insurance, personal gear, and city meals are not included. A €500 deposit secures your place, with the balance due 16 weeks before departure.

How much does it cost to trek to Machu Picchu from Ireland? The total cost from Ireland is typically €4,500 to €5,500 depending on flight prices. The land cost is €3,550 and return flights from Dublin to Lima via a European or Middle Eastern hub usually cost €700 to €1,200. Internal flights between Lima and Cusco add approximately €100 to €200. Travel insurance adds a small amount on top.

How hard is the Salkantay trek? The trek is graded moderate to strenuous. The hardest day is Day 4, when you cross the Salkantay Pass at 4,650m — a sustained climb at altitude followed by a long descent. The remaining days are at lower altitudes through easier terrain. You should be comfortable walking 5 to 7 hours per day on uneven ground. Two acclimatisation days in Cusco before the trek help your body adjust.

What is the difference between this trek and the classic Inca Trail? The classic Inca Trail follows the original Inca road to Machu Picchu and is limited to 500 people per day, meaning permits must be booked months in advance. Our Salkantay route takes a different path via the 4,650m Salkantay Pass, through a wider range of landscapes, and still includes a section of original Inca trail at Llactapata with views of the Machu Picchu sanctuary. Both routes finish at Machu Picchu with a full guided tour of the citadel. The Salkantay is less crowded, more physically varied, and does not require the limited classic trail permits.

Is this the real Inca Trail? The Salkantay route includes a section of original Inca trail at Llactapata — an Inca archaeological site with direct views of Machu Picchu — so you are walking on genuine Inca pathways before arriving at the citadel. The “classic” Inca Trail is a specific 4-day route that requires government permits. Our Salkantay route covers more diverse terrain, reaches higher altitudes, and is widely regarded as the best alternative trek to Machu Picchu.

When is the best time to trek to Machu Picchu? The best months are May to September — Peru’s dry season — when skies are clearest and trails are driest. Pat’s group departures in July and September fall within this window. The wet season (November to March) brings heavy rain and reduced visibility.

Do I need to be very fit? You need a reasonable level of fitness. The Salkantay Pass day is demanding at altitude, but the rest of the trek is moderate. If you can hike for 6 to 7 hours over hilly terrain, you are well prepared. We recommend starting a training programme 3 to 4 months before departure, focusing on hill walking and cardiovascular fitness.

What altitude does the Salkantay trek reach? The highest point is the Salkantay Pass at 4,650m. You spend two days acclimatising in Cusco at 3,400m before the trek begins. After crossing the pass, you descend quickly into the subtropical valley, and the remainder of the trek is at much lower altitudes.

Do I need a visa for Peru? Irish and UK passport holders do not currently need a visa for tourist visits to Peru of up to 90 days. Check with your passport office for the most up-to-date entry requirements before travelling.

Can I visit Machu Picchu from Ireland? Yes — Pat Falvey’s team runs group departures from Dublin to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay trek. The trip is 10 days total. All logistics are handled from Ireland including flights, accommodation, transfers, guides, porters, and your Machu Picchu tour.

Can I add a Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain trip? Yes — an optional guided day trip to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) is available on Day 8 at additional cost. This is a spectacular high-altitude landscape of multicoloured mineral deposits above 5,000m, about 3 hours from Cusco.